The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1887-04-21


earthly sounds. It had cherry ribbon
strings tied under her -ehin. All was
still with one exception, which wss Gal
laher. At regular intervals he snorsd
defiance to the English throne, Of which
he dreamed.
Suddenly upon the stiffness came .
long, loud, blood-curdling scream that
made the windows rattle. 1t was awful.
whats that" cried Gallaher, start
ing up.
"What is it, Dennis ?" asked Mrs. GAL
laher, awakened and scared.
&c W h horrrk!lw
The horrible scream was repeated.
Gallaher sprang to the floor.
"Dennis--Oi-Oi'll choke to death
wild his-darn-thing" Mrs. Gallaher
was spluttering with terror. She had
pulled her bonnet dc nuit strings into Q
hard knot, and was strangling.
How'd yure jaw, will oo" said Gal
laher angrily. He was listening in
tently.
The string parted and freed her ears.
She listened, too, still scared.
"Musha, hope it's not wan o. Thin
hurrah away murders"
"He has no made to cut her throat on Q
noight like this" said Gallaher, shivering
in his night-gown. CAV he howlds her
still she'll freeze quick enough"
"Cawhorrrkv
1t came again. He grabbed his socks
and drew on his trousers. As he pulled
on his coat he looked out of the front
window, and by the light of the street
lamp saw George Washington Millard in
front of the house and looking up at the
windows. Instantly angry, he flew down
the stairs and opened the front door.
"Aha," said he savagely, by way Of
greeting.
"Heah, Posey. Come heah," said Mr..
Millard wooingly to the pug dog which
had followed him over. He pretended
not to see Mr.. Gallaher.
as it watchin' me CRASH grow ye areP"
asked Gallaher sarcastically.
"Nice doggie; good doggie," said the
other, patting it.
"What do We name? ?" demanded Galla-
her, going down the walk.
Subterfuge was useless. II came over,
sah," said Mr.. Millard in precise tones,
"because l heard shrieks, sab, in your
domicile, sab. thought recognized
your wife's voice, sahv'
"Howly Maryw calculated Mrs. Gala
her from the upper window. "Do that
black naygur say me vice is like that ?"
This was too much. 1t could not be
left to Dennis to adjust. She threw on
her petticoats hurriedly.
Meanwhile the seriousness of the occa-
sion had caused a suspension of hostili-
J ties between the men. They agreed that
it was evidently the murder of some
woman in the vacant lot in the rear of
, Gallaher's wagon-house Visions of gore
and bloody knives made Gallaher indis-
posed to investigate it by himself, par
ticularly in his defenseless condition
He invited Millard to accompany him,
!, and the latter accepted. The two men,
followed by the pug, passed on tiptoe
along the alleyway at the side of the
house, crossed the yard, and approached
the wagon-house, through which they
would pass to the lot.
The minute he opened the door some
thing came Tapping against him out of
, the darkness, scratched his face and
knocked him down. 1t was the peacock
, trying to get out. Gallaher was a little
ratified anyhow. He had forgotten the
bird, and he yelled with fright as he
, scrambled to his feet and ran across the
yard. Millard and the pug had been
there some seconds when he arrived. He
looked savagely at Millard to detect the
faintest smile. If he had seen one he
would have killed him on the spot.
"It's me paycock," he said hoarsely,
and he said no more, but there was blood
in his eye.
, He found lantern and lighted it,
, Then he went back and opened the door
carefully. The pug, aching for destruc-
tion, spied the peacock.
"Broo-oo," croaked he, with the coarse
bark peculiar to pugs.
"Cowhorrrk screamed the bird de-
family.
Posey abandoned his strategic advant-
age between his owners legs and un-
courteously flew at it. The peacock,
glad to meet something 1t could whip,
met him half way. 1t struck with it,
spurs, and, hitting with its wings,
knocked the dog over. Posey squalled
with terror and lay paralyzed while
Robert Emmett pecked him viciously.
"Stop him! Stop him" cried Mr..
Millard
=. "Let 'em alone" yelled Gallaher.
.. Mr.. Millard, fearful for his pet, grabbed
at the peacock. Then he struck at him
with stick. Then Gallaher's pent-up
:. Utica gave way and he acted.
: He was mad anyhow. He would have
given $40 if Millard had hit him instead
of the fowl The accumulated anger 0f
years spurred his right femoral muscles
when he kicked. If he had not hit his
mark he would have broken his leg. II
he had had his boot on he would have
broken Mr.. Millard in two As it was
his foot struck Mr.. Millard amidships
1 like locomotive and knocked him FIVE
r feet, face downward, on top of the pea
r cock. q
The bird screamed, Posey squalled,
and the men rolled ove. and over on the
floor. Mr.. Millard wa, no slouch. His
q | mouth was full Of feathers In he had